Langeraap, TenNapel leave the ice

On March 2, Dordt Blades head coach, John Langeraap, and Assistant Coach, Marlin TenNapel, resigned from their positions.

This past year, under the coaching of this pair, the Blades went 9-15-2 overall and 1-7 in conference.

John Langeraap

Langeraap served as head coach for the Blades for four years. Before serving as head coach, he acted as the assistant coach, during which time the team made a run at Nationals.

“I thank John for his dedication to the Blades’ program,” said Athletic Director Glenn Bouma.

“His work as a recruiter and mentor leaves the team in a healthy position. He’s respected in the ACHA and was a leader in the MACHA. …He has served Dordt College well as an assistant coach and head coach.”

Marlin TenNapel

Caleb Groot, a sophomore from Smithers, British Columbia, said this about his former head coach: “Langer really helped the younger players adapt from high school to college hockey. He was a mentor and really cared about you as more than a hockey player.”

In response to the news of Langeraap’s resignation, Cody Pollock, a freshman from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, said “I think [it] caught us all a little off guard, but it’s something we’re going to have to figure out and make the most of going forward. A new coach will give us all a clean slate and give us some more incentive to work hard in the off season and be even better prepared for next year.”

The Blades have experienced subpar seasons over the past couple years, though they have received votes for rankings in the midst of stiff competition.

With a tough spring ahead for the Blades, these men will continue to work hard until the new coach comes in and wait in anticipation to hear more about their team’s future.

“There’s going to be a lot of changes next year with a lot of graduating seniors and new freshman,” said Groot.

“It will be exciting to see how the team does, especially with a new coach,” said Groot.